WESSINGTON SPRINGS, S.D. – Three Wessington Springs men have been identified as those involved in a two-vehicle crash that killed two people and seriously injured the other Thursday morning west of Wessington Springs.

They were the only people involved.

A 2006 Ford F-350 pickup was eastbound on South Dakota Highway 34 when it crossed the center line and collided with a westbound 2005 International 8000 truck. The pickup entered the south ditch and started on fire. Donald Wetzel, 75, the driver, and Matthew Wetzel, 30, the passenger, both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Scott Wenzel, 52, was the driver of the International truck. He suffered life-threatening injuries. He was transported to a Wessington Springs hospital and later airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Other agencies on scene were the Jerauld County Sheriff’s Office, Sanborn County Sheriff’s Office, Wessington Springs Ambulance, Wessington Springs Fire Department and Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Service.

The Highway Patrol is part of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

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Note: The different spellings of the last names are correct.

Records of state-reportable crashes are now available at http://www.safesd.gov/. Records should be available about 10 days after the investigation is complete.